Wild Wednesday: Silly Safaris and colorful toucans!
Amazon John and Meerkat Mel of Silly Safaris joined Patty Spitler on Life Style Live to introduce viewers to a pair of colorful toucans and share facts about the birds’ unique features, diets and care.
The segment featured Gonzo, a red-billed toucan, and Rikki, a curl-crested aracari, a smaller type of toucan. Both birds are native to South America, where they eat fruit and sometimes insects.
Despite their large, colorful beaks, toucans have surprisingly lightweight bills. The beaks help the birds reach and eat fruit, and they also play a role in regulating body temperature.
Rikki's distinctive crest inspired her nickname, Rick James, because of its resemblance to the musician’s signature hairstyle. The birds also demonstrated their love of blueberries during the segment, offering viewers a closer look at their feeding habits.
Amazon John and Meerkat Mel also introduced three toucan chicks that were just 10 days old. The young birds were being kept in an incubator because their eyes had not yet opened.
Toucans typically live about 15 to 20 years in the wild, though some have been known to live up to 30 years in captivity.
While their appearance may make them appealing to potential pet owners, the Silly Safaris team cautioned that exotic birds require specialized care. Their diets can be challenging to manage, and they can be messy.
“It’s very light, and they use that beak to eat all kinds of fruit,” Amazon John explained, adding that the birds might snack on bugs or termite eggs in the wild. The beak also helps regulate body temperature—nature’s air conditioner.
The team recommends leaving their care to professionals while noting that properly raised birds can serve as animal ambassadors for educational programs.
To learn more about these fascinating birds, watch the video!
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